Six North American Suppliers Win Toyota's Top Awards
Suppliers Recognized for Contribution to Successful Launch of New Corolla and Supplier Diversity Initiatives
COVINGTON, Ky., March 26 -- At Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America's (TMMNA's) Annual Supplier Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony, six of Toyota's North American suppliers were awarded Superior Awards, the company's highest level of recognition: AK Steel Corporation, Nova Chemicals, Inc., Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc., TRW Fuji Valve, Inc., U.S. Engine Valve Company, and TG North America, Inc. (see chart that follows for a complete list of Superior and Excellent Award winners).
The awards, presented last night in Northern Kentucky, acknowledge those suppliers who have met Toyota's highest standards in quality, delivery, and value improvement for parts, materials, and transportation. Additionally, special recognition awards were given for vehicle launch performance. This award recognizes those suppliers whose exemplary work over the past several years greatly contributed to a smooth launch of the new model Corolla.
This year marked the first year for Supplier Diversity Awards, recognizing those suppliers who put forth outstanding efforts on supplier diversity initiatives.
"The quality and reliability of Toyota's vehicles depend on the success of our North American suppliers," said Osamu "Simon" Nagata, vice president of Purchasing for TMMNA, located in Erlanger, Ky.
"Our suppliers are used to challenges, but this year presented additional obstacles such as the West Coast port crisis. These suppliers achieve and often exceed our strict performance standards. This is an opportunity for Toyota to formally recognize their valuable contribution to our success."
Toyota's Annual Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony brings together the automaker's approximately 500 North American suppliers to share expectations for the coming business year and to recognize outstanding performance among suppliers.
With plans to reach annual capacity of 1.65 million cars and trucks and 1.16 million engines by 2006, Toyota's increased manufacturing investment in North America has a significant impact on the amount of goods and services purchased in North America.
The Annual Business Meeting featured a keynote address by Mike Abrashoff, former Commander of U.S.S. Benfold, who was the youngest commanding officer in the Pacific Fleet. Abrashoff spoke about his system of beliefs he calls GrassRoots Leadership, replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion.
Toyota currently has ten vehicle manufacturing and parts facilities in North America, and is building three more -- in Huntsville, Alabama; Baja California, Mexico; and San Antonio, Texas.
The automaker currently employs some 34,000 people throughout North America. The company's direct investment is nearly $14 billion with annual parts, materials, goods and services purchased from North American suppliers totaling nearly $20 billion.
For more information, please visit our website: www.toyota.com or Toyota's on-line newsroom: pressroom.toyota.com
2003 Toyota Supplier Awards
SUPERIOR AWARDS
Supplier Plant Location State Part/Material Award Category
AK Steel Middletown Ohio Steel Delivery &
(headquarters); Quality
Ashland, Ky.;
Rockport, Ind.;
Zanesville, Oh.;
Butler, Penn.
Nova Monaca Pennsylvania Instrument Delivery
Chemicals, panel
Inc. components
Sumitomo Bowling Green Kentucky** Wire harnesses Value
Electric Improvement
Wiring
Systems,
Inc.
TRW Fuji Sevierville Tennessee Engine valves Quality
Valve
US Engine Westminster South Engine valves Quality
Valve Carolina
Waterville Waterville Quebec, Weatherstrips Launch
TG, Inc. Canada
EXCELLENT AWARDS
Supplier Plant Location State Part/Material Award Category
Aisin Stockton California Sensors Quality
Electronics,
Inc.
Ambrake Elizabethtown Kentucky Base brakes Quality
Corporation
Carpenter Bayport Texas Instrument Delivery
Chemical panel
Company components
Delphi Anaheim California Batteries Delivery &
Energy/ Quality
Chassis
Systems
Delphi Lockport New York Radiators Quality
Harrison
Thermal
Systems
Denso Anderson South Fuel pump Quality
International Carolina module assembly
America, Inc.
Denso Athens Tennessee Fuel Injectors Delivery &
International Quality
America, Inc.
Denso Athens Tennessee Oxygen sensors, Delivery &
International spark plugs, Quality
America, Inc. ignition coils
Denso Hillsboro Ohio Cam and crank Quality
International sensor assembly
America, Inc.
Denso Maryville Tennessee Starters and Delivery &
International alternators Quality
America, Inc.
Denso Maryville Tennessee Electronics, Delivery &
International ECUs, Remote Launch
America, Inc. keyless entries
Denso Monterrey Monterrey, Instrument Quality
International Mexico panels, cruise
America, Inc. actuators, wheel
speed sensors
Diamond Eleanor West Ignition coils Delivery &
Electric Virginia Quality
Dofasco Inc. Hamilton Ontario, Steel Quality
Canada
Huntsman Geismar Louisiana Instrument Quality
Polyurethanes panel components
Johnson West Deptford New Jersey Precious metals Delivery &
Matthey for catalytic Quality
converters
Luk Wooster Ohio Clutch covers Delivery
Incorporated & disks
Mahle, Inc. Morristown Tennessee** Pistons Value
Improvement
MBL (USA) Ottawa Illinois V-Ribbed & Quality
Corporation timing belts
NCI MFG Inc. Scottsboro Alabama Seals & gaskets Quality
Nova Monaca Pennsylvania Instrument Quality
Chemicals, panel components
Inc.
TG Missouri Perryville Missouri Interior Launch
plastics
Toyotetsu Toyota City Aichi, Body & assembly Value
America, Inc. Japan** stampings, brake Improvement
pedals, parking
brake levers
Trim Harrodsburg Kentucky** Seats, door trim Value
Masters, Inc. Improvement
TRW Marshall Illinois Air bag sensors Launch
Automotive,
Inc.
US Engine Westminster South Engine valves Delivery
Valve Carolina
US Steel Gary Indiana Steel Quality
Group
Yazaki Canton Michigan** Electronics Value
North Improvement
America, Inc.
** Value Improvement awards are given to the company as a whole, not plant
specific